About the Poll

SurveyUSA interviewed 500 North Carolina adults 01/09/13 through 01/12/13 exclusively for WRAL-TV in Raleigh. This research was conducted using blended sample, mixed mode. Respondents reachable on a home telephone (69% of adults) were interviewed on their home phone in the recorded voice of a professional announcer. Respondents not reachable on a home phone (31% of adults) were shown a questionnaire on their smartphone, tablet or other electronic device.

Respondent households were selected at random, using Random Digit Dialed (RDD) sample provided by Survey Sampling, of Fairfield, Conn. All respondents heard the questions asked identically. Where necessary, respondents were weighted using the most recent US Census estimates for age, gender, ethnic origin and region, to align the sample to the population. In theory, one can say with 95% certainty that the results would not vary by more than the stated margin of sampling error, in one direction or the other, had the entire universe of respondents with home telephones been interviewed with complete accuracy. Research methodology, questionnaire design and fieldwork for this survey were completed by SurveyUSA of Clifton, NJ.

9. Are laws on buying guns at gun shows too strict? Not strict enough? Or just about right?

10. Should criminal background checks be required for every person who wants to purchase a firearm? Or not?

(Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 2.3%)

463 (93%) Should27 (5%) Should Not9 (2%) Not Sure

11. Should the general public be able to buy and wear tactical gear such as the armor worn by SWAT team members? Or not?

(Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 4.5%)

171 (34%) Should235 (47%) Should Not94 (19%) Not Sure

12. Thinking for a moment about the people who cause mass shootings: are they so mentally ill that they would do something similar no matter what? Or do you think violence in today's society plays a part in their actions?

13. Is the level of violence in entertainment, including video games, a major cause of mass shootings? A minor cause? Or not a cause of mass shootings?

14. If the government were able to require a reduced amount of violence in entertainment, would it reduce the incidence of mass shootings a lot? A little? Or not at all?

(Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 4.5%)

100 (20%) A Lot197 (39%) A Little179 (36%) Not At All23 (5%) Not Sure

15. Do you think enough services are being offered to those with mental health problems in North Carolina? Or could the state be doing more?

(Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 3.5%)

36 (7%) Enough403 (81%) Could Do More60 (12%) Not Sure

16. Are you willing to pay more in taxes for increased government spending on mental health?

(Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 4.5%)

219 (44%) Yes201 (40%) No80 (16%) Not Sure

17. Are mass shootings at schools avoidable or unavoidable?

(Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 4.4%)

304 (61%) Avoidable129 (26%) Unavoidable67 (13%) Not Sure

18. Which one thing would be most effective in reducing school shootings? Making access to guns more difficult? Better mental health care? Better security in schools? Working to reduce bullying in schools? Restricting violence in the entertainment industry? Or something else?